Michelle talks to pharmacist and menopause specialist Lindsey Lester, who shares her knowledge on HRT and menopause management. Lindsey tackles everything from why vaginal symptoms matter to the surprising ways exercise can increase symptoms. She also challenges common myths about HRT and reveals the significant health benefits every woman should know.

Lindsey Reveals

• How oestrogen deficiency affects the entire body, not just reproductive organs
• Why lack of oestrogen changes fat distribution
• How intensive exercise can worsen menopausal symptoms
• How to manage vaginal and urinary symptoms of menopause
• The differences between body-identical HRT and synthetic hormones.
• How patient information leaflets often contain outdated warnings about risks
• Why Mediterranean and anti-inflammatory diets can reduce menopause symptoms

BEST MOMENTS

"You go to the GP, they're doing the very, very best they can. They've got like eight minutes, even a double appointment, it's just not cutting through to the root causes and the whole conversation about how you can feel better is not just about the HRT."

"Without oestrogen, your body perceives that you are under threat from a lion, tiger or bear. You don't need fertility, you don't need executive functioning. You don't need to be able to do a math sum in your head. You just need to run away."

"Intensive exercise can worsen symptoms. Some people will notice that if they do all those spin classes, it's like, 'oh gosh, thighs are getting thicker.' It's having the opposite effect. It's just adding to the stress load."

"Every cell in the body bar red blood cells have receptors for hormones and oestrogen in particular in a female."

"There's a massive difference between the body-identical and synthetic HRT. We can't include those in the same sentence. It's chalk and cheese, it really is."

"Self care, if you are not looking after yourself, you are not gonna be able to look after all those other people that depend so much on you."

EPISODE RESOURCES

Lindsey Lester’s clinic. https://avicenna-health.com/medical-service/avicenna-menopause-clinic

HOST BIO

Michelle is a highly respected Physiotherapist and Menopause Wellbeing Practitioner with over two decades of experience in the health and wellness industry. After experiencing seven years of debilitating symptoms herself before realising it was perimenopause, Michelle has since dedicated her career to helping other women navigate this transformative stage of life. Her personal journey fuels her passion for educating and empowering women, as well as training businesses and health professionals through her specialised menopause and wellbeing workshops. A best-selling author and sought-after speaker, Michelle combines deep clinical expertise with relatable, real-world experience. Through her podcast, "Menopause - The Real Deal," she offers evidence-based guidance, authentic conversations, and practical strategies. Listeners trust Michelle for her empathetic understanding and her commitment to helping women thrive, making her a leading voice in the menopause space.

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Website www.panaceapause.co.uk

This Podcast has been brought to you by Disruptive Media. https://disruptivemedia.co.uk/